How to Give a Dog a bath

dj360 · 03-13-2009, 05:42 PM

It's funny, because everyone thinks that cat's are terribly hard to bathe, when the reality is, dogs are too!! I remember the first time I tried to give my puppy a bath. My situation was quite like yours. I think the main probablem is the anxiety. The dog is placed in a large, cold tub and confronted with a metal nozel that shoots out water. Even if the water in warm, the dog doesn't take to it easily.
One thing that might help adjust the dog to the touch of water would be to take a warm, damp towel and message the dog's fur. Gradually work the dog towards the bath water (without raising the nozel/bucket/whatever high above its head in a menacing position). Also, avoid shrieking with dismay when the dog panics--this will only alarm him/her, creating the illusion that the bath should be feared.

quick tip: start at the head and work your way down!

sirilucky · 04-08-2009, 06:19 AM

Some tips on giving a bath to small doggies!!!

* Bath time is a good time to examine your dog carefully for skin irritations, fleas and ticks,ear infections or other health concerns. It may be useful to trim his nails at the same time your bathe him. Metal nail files are good for skittish dogs and owners you can also use a battery powered nail file to make the process faster. Sometimes a groomer will let you watch the process and you may want to observe before you go at it yourself the first time.
* One thing that may prevent dogs from shaking is to hold their ear. This should only be done while taking them to a more shake-friendly place.
* If your dog tends to shake try placing one hand over the back of the neck when washing. This can stop the shake before it starts and keep you (and your bathroom) relatively dry.
* Some small dogs prefer placing their front paws on the edge of the bath away from you. My dog puts his paws up in the side of the tub facing the wall. It helps keep him calm and from that position he can't jump out.
* It is very important to brush your dog after every bath so that their hair doesn't get matted.

Dunixi · 04-13-2009, 01:37 AM

I haven't gotten brave enough to put my husky in the tub yet, but am going to have to soon. Mud season has arrived in Northern Maine. One thing I got to try and ease bathing is buy kitty cat bath mits. They are disposble wipes meant for making kitty cat bath time easier. Tiberius loves them. They work good to get the mud and stuff off his legs and tummy after a walk.

As for bathing cats, my big tom cat loves baths. The grey one...well she turns into a demon the minute water touches her fur.

sirilucky · 04-15-2009, 04:31 AM

I use a hand held shower to bath my Rambo and he loves bathing. I never faced this problem with him.

PappyMom · 07-12-2009, 11:40 PM

We purchased a hand-held shower hose that connects and disconnects very easily to our shower head. I like it better then regular hand held showers because the water will only come out when you press the button down. Gizmo is a doll for any kind of pampering or grooming. He hops into the bath tub on command, stays perfectly still while I soak him, lather him up, rinse and condition. He rolls over to have his nails trimmed, and any sanitary trimming necessary. Loves his teeth brushed...haha..but when it comes to drying, if I let him air dry, he runs a mile a minute around the house rubbing and rolling on everything! LOL he's a riot!

scropper · 10-19-2009, 03:56 PM

i try to avoid her head at all costs because i don't want water in her ears and she hates cotton balls in them. so i usually use the tub/cup method. i wet, then wet her ears and head with a wet wash cloth, then lather with soap, i put a tiny amount on the wash cloth and then get her head and ears. then i rinse her body and then rinse the wash cloth so i can wipe her ears and head well. she's getting a bath tonight. i might try the shower attachment but she's such a scaredy she might try to get away from it.

here is my maddie!

all dry and posing with crimpy ears and all lol

PeanutAndOmar · 10-19-2009, 04:14 PM

OMG puppy bath time pictures are ridiculously cute

FlamingoFan · 10-19-2009, 08:40 PM

Cute Tub photos of all pups!!!!!

Stella flinches a little when I lift her into the tub.....I fill it a few inches with warm water.....at some point...I'll get one of those shower spray thingys, but for now...I run the water while bathing her and rinse her with a big cup.

I keep a little pile of treats nearby....and give her praise...treats..kisses....after she's out of the tub and towel dried.....she gets a chewey and more praise and kisses.

FaithFurMom09 · 10-24-2009, 11:43 PM

We give Faith a bath about 2x a month or so. We put her in the tub and pour cups of water over her, then rub shampoo in, rinse, then she shakes off.

geekbruin · 10-25-2009, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunixi

I haven't gotten brave enough to put my husky in the tub yet, but am going to have to soon. Mud season has arrived in Northern Maine.

We have two huskies and bathe them in our shower. I bought a groomer's loop that attaches to a suction cup that I attach to the shower wall that I got from Petedge.com. The suction cup works surprisingly well and keeps them from trying to run away. Sometimes the suction cup does pop off when they shake but the dogs are easy to catch and re-attach the suction cup.

I also broke down and bought one of those spiky Kong brushes for lathering the dogs. It seems to get more of the undercoat out while I'm washing them and leaves that much less to brush out later.

Good luck!